646f9e108c Based on a true story. During WW2, a German submarine base in Bordeaux seems impregnable, but it has to be destroyed and who better for the task than a group of Royal Marines led by Royal Marine Major Stringer. After a series of initiative tests, drills and selection the time approaches. A Royal Marine Reserve Major must work with a veteran Captain and a group of incorrigible recruits to attempt what is generally regarded as a suicide mission: the covert destruction of an entire German shipyard in occupied France. I was ten-years-old, growing up during the war in England, when this, and other raids were being made against the Nazis.<br/><br/>In 1955, I had completed a three-year enlistment with the U.S. Marines, and therefore extremely interested in commando-style warfare.<br/><br/>"Cockleshell Heroes" was entertaining, even though Columbia Pictures capitalized on a suicide mission and glorified it, thus overlooking the rugged training, and horrible cost in lives.<br/><br/>Nonetheless, glory aside, the film triumphantly displays loyalty, dedication, that is the trademark of the Royal Marines. But after reading the first person account of the raid, you don't really appreciate what these heroic men did until you read the book.<br/><br/>The first misconception given in the film is that this was a commando unit, when in fact, the dozen selected, were regular Marines who volunteered. The hardships endured don't come across as hard in the movie as they do in the book. The loss of food, inability to move for hours at a stretch, not able to relieve themselves, are just a few of the oversights that would have shown the ruggedness of the mission.<br/><br/>However, even with some sour notes, I still like the film for showing the Marines as one of the best fighting forces in the world. This is in fact a true story. It was a raid that was authorised by<br/><br/>Mountbatten in 1942. The names of the characters are changed. There was such a raid called operation Frankton that was executed in winter months. The movie is no doubt an exaggeration in many parts but certainly creates a lot of suspense. Of all the performances the only strong one is that of Trevor Howard who delivers his character extremely well on screen. His relationship with his commanding officer is in many ways the centre piece of the film. I can understand why people unaware of the raid would find this film implausible. But I can assure this was a real episode brought to the big screen. The raiders in real life did endure extreme hardship.
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